Sumitra Devi

Sumitra Devi (September 25, 1922 – February 3, 2001) was an Indian National Congress politician from Bihar. She was first elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952 from Jagdishpur. In 1963, she became the first woman cabinet minister of Bihar. She was also the first Bihari woman to become a cabinet minister in Government of India in 1977. Devi was born in Munger district on September 25, 1922, and died on February 3, 2001. She has served 4 times as MLA of Arrah from 1962 to 1969 and 1972 to 1980. Apart from this, she was also elected once from Piro Assembly constituency (Tarari Assembly constituency) in 1957. In 1977, she participated in Indian General elections from Balia Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate, but she was defeated.

Personal life Devi was born to Siddheshwar Prasad in a Kushwaha (Koeri) family of Bihar. She was married to late Shri Gyaneshwar Prasad. They had two sons (Manjul Kumar and Raj Shekhar) and a daughter. She is the mother-in-law of Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha speaker.

Life and political career Devi was sent to Kanya Gurukul, Sasni (Hathras) for her basic education by her father Siddheshwar Prasad, who was a supporter of the women's right to education. She completed her matriculation in 1936 and became a student of English literature for the higher education. As per the prevalent social norms of early marriage in her society, she was married to Gyaneswar Prasad at an early age. Her husband Gyaneswar Prasad was a freedom fighter and a student of law. Devi was married in Jagdishpur region of the Bhojpur district.

Devi participated in Non-Cooperation movement and launched a struggle for the welfare of the women of Backward Castes. She was supported by her husband in this initiative and latter allowed her to pursue her political ambitions. In the meantime, she was attracted towards the ideology of Communist leader M. N. Roy. She joined the newly floated party by Roy called Radical Democratic Party (India). Devi now started working for the masses and became popular in the political circle. In 1939, she was nominated to the 'committee on education' in the Shahabad District council. As a member of this committee, she started working for the schooling needs of the poor and unprivileged. Due to her initiatives, many schools were opened in distant areas for the education of poor. In 1942, she became a member of Arrah Municipal corporation.

Devi also planned a layout of the Patna city and she led establishment of famous Maurya Lok, which is considered as one of the first shopping complex in the city.